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A former Louisville Metro Police officer, who once faced a murder charge in the shooting death of a 19-year-old man, reportedly reapplied to join the force, prompting sharp reactions Thursday from activists and LMPD Chief Steve Conrad.

Conrad wrote in a statement, sent out just before a scheduled press conference with local activists and a member of the victim's family, that he did not plan to rehire the former officer, McKenzie Mattingly.

"I just had the opportunity to review the findings of the Professional Standards Unit investigation into the shooting of Michael Newby by then-LMPD Officer McKenzie Mattingly on January 3, 2004," Conrad said in a statement on Facebook. "I will never consider hiring Mr. Mattingly for any position with the Louisville Metro Police Department."

Mattingly was acquitted of the murder charge but ultimately let go by LMPD over the incident. He was hired by Bardstown Police in 2010 and resigned earlier this year.

This week, local media outlets reported that Mattingly applied for a lateral transfer with LMPD – meaning he may have been able to bypass the Police Academy and begin his service sooner.

Michael Newby's sister Tasha Mitchell, who was at the press conference, said she'd been crying all week, praying that his application wouldn't go through.

"It's such a relief. I feel like I done what my mama wanted me to do by standing here, doing work, making press conferences, calling Chris, going crazy. I went nuts when I seen that on the news," Mitchell told the Courier-Journal afterward. "... I'm just really relieved."

Newby was shot in 2004 as he and Mattingly struggled over the officer's service weapon during an undercover drug buy attempt. During the struggle, the weapon discharged, causing Newby to run. Mattingly then shot Newby in the back three times.

Mattingly said in a statement that he was "scared to death" when he shot Newby and felt he was "trying to go for a weapon," the Courier-Journal reported at the time.

A .45-caliber handgun was found in Newby's waistband after he was shot, but Newby never pulled it out, according to court records.

A Jefferson County jury acquitted Mattingly of murder, first- and second-degree manslaughter and reckless homicide in October 2004.

Newby's shooting enraged the community at the time and prompted civil-rights groups to protest and demand changes to a system they said was wrongfully killing black men.

In one case, nearly 400 people protested outside the downtown police headquarters and ministers stood between officers and protesters, urging people to disperse.

Christopher 2X said Thursday that Conrad's announcement shows that when the family of Michael Newby responds, "people listen and they listen well."

He also said Mattingly told him directly that he applied for LMPD in March, meaning LMPD had his application for months before Conrad's statement. LMPD did not respond to a Courier-Journal inquiry sent this week about Mattingly's application.

Mitchell and Christopher 2X were joined Thursday by members of Louisville Showing Up for Racial Justice and Black Lives Matter of Louisville.

Mattingly resigned in June from Bardstown's department, where he had served as a captain, after admitting to using a recovered stolen trailer in the police department's custody for personal use, the Kentucky Standard reported.

July 14 was his last day with Bardstown Police.

Reporter Matt Glowicki contributed to this report. Reach Reporter Thomas Novelly at 502-582-4465 or by email at tnovelly@courier-journal.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.